Shulock scratches note in sand more strikes!

DETROIT {AP} Using his feet, umpire John Shulock told everyone at Tiger Stadium exactly how he feels about pitchers who do not throw the ball over the plate.

Shortly after Detroit's Brian Moehler walked two Oakland batters in the second inning Sunday, Shulock scratched a note in the infield dirt: "3-2 Why."

Shulock was working at second base. He neatly stepped out his message near the edge of the grass, behind the shortstop spot.

"I can't understand why no one throws strikes," Shulock said after the Athletics' 6-5 victory. "Everyone wants to go to a full count every time.

"I mean, look at the most successful pitchers, the Greg Madduxes and Tom Glavines. They throw strike one, strike two. Now they're ahead, and maybe they get a batter to swing at a bad pitch. But there's too much of this ball one, ball two."

Shulock, known as one of baseball's better balls-and-strikes umpires, laughed and smiled while he made his remarks.

"I was just having fun out there," said Shulock, a member of the AL staff since 1979. "Just passing time."